Police tips on how to protect your sheds as nights draw in

Latest figures reveal a 23% drop in burglaries of sheds and outbuildings across Conwy and Denbighshire Rural District - but as the nights draw in police are warning that there is no room for complacency. 

 

Urging residents to ensure these buildings are kept secure and that they are checked regularly, Sgt Aled Eynon of the local policing team said: “We have had some notable reductions in crime. Figures so far show that we have 26 less victims of crime for this type of offence.

 

 

"At this time of year however many people tend not to use their garages, sheds and outbuildings as often as the need to cut the lawns and tend gardens eases. And, while we all use these buildings to store equipment the collective value of items within them is often considerable- so it’s essential that people have adequate security.

 

“Periodically, we still have instances where opportunist thieves target an outbuilding, garage or shed. Once inside they take anything of value but it is often bikes, quad bikes or power tools. Furthermore, because the need to use these buildings usually lessens in the autumn and winter, some crimes are not reported for days on end as the householder is unaware that they have been a victim of crime. Please check your shed or outbuildings regularly to ensure they remain secure."

 

He added: "Everyone can take steps to ensure their property and outbuildings are kept secure. Neighbours can also play a part in the fight against such burglaries by keeping an eye on nearby buildings and reporting anything suspicious to police immediately. 

 

“We don’t want residents to get complacent or lax with their home security.

 

“It’s surprising how many burglaries we still deal with where thieves have found that a door has been left open or insecure and then helped themselves to property. Since May 1st to the beginning of September ’13 we believe that around 50% of burglaries / burglaries other than dwellings in the area relate to insecure buildings – so please help stamp this out by locking doors and windows.”

 

“Opportunist thieves operate throughout the year and will try to get their hands on expensive goods. Extra patrols are carried out in relevant areas but the support of the public to deter opportunist thieves by making it as difficult as possible for them to commit crime can’t be underestimated.”

 

If you store valuable items in your shed, outbuilding or garage, ensure you have a good locking system on the door and if you haven’t already got one consider installing a shed alarm.

 

Local police remain committed to doing all they can to help prevent such crimes and the following are some ‘top tips’ which can help you to further protect your property:

 

•             If you store expensive items in your garage or shed ensure you have adequate security. Look at the security around your garden and ensure you have good fencing and a lockable gate. Keep it locked at all times.

•             Consider using plant protection as another means of protection. Plants such as thorny shrubs can help deter would-be thieves from entering your garden.

•             Don’t leave any tools or equipment in your garden, store them away safely in sheds, garages or outbuildings that are securely locked when not in use. If you do not have a garden shed or outbuilding bring the tools inside.

•             Never leave valuable items on display or so that they can be seen through shed windows. Use nets, blinds or other material to block windows.

•             Install outside security lighting which comes on automatically if there is any movement in your garden or around your property.

•             Consider installing a shed alarm which are inexpensive and can be effective.

•             If you have more than one bike, chain them together within your shed or garage as this will make it more difficult for a thief. Some sheds have concrete anchors attached to the floor – these are ideal to latch and lock your items to such as lawnmowers and bikes.  

•             Always remember to property mark your valuable items with your postcode in a prominent position. If you do unfortunately become a victim of crime at least you may stand a good chance of having your property returned to you if you have postcoded or property marked it.

•             If you haven’t a garden shed or garage, consider keeping expensive cycles inside your home.

 

More information regarding keeping your property secure individuals can contact officers at the Community Safety Department on 101.

Llan young farmers are netball champions

* Llangollen Young Farmers Club were the winners of the U26 netball competition

staged as part of the annual Young Farmers sports day at Ruthin Leisure Centre. 

 

Tips to stay safe during firefighters' strike

The Chief Fire Officer of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public across the region to take extra care in terms of fire safety in the home and road safety during strike action planned by firefighters.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced that firefighters in England and Wales intend to take industrial action on Wednesday 25^th September between midday and 4.00pm.

The number of firefighters from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service who are expected to make a protest by striking is high.

This will mean a reduction in the resources that the fire and rescue service has at its disposal and, as a consequence, the Service will not be able to provide the same high level of response to fires and other emergencies that it normally would. The priority will be to respond to life critical incidents.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith reassured the public: "North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has arrangements in place to continue to provide a service during strike action" but warned that, "because of the circumstances, services may be limited.

"The Service's business continuity arrangements will ensure a speedy and safe return to normal services on conclusion of any period of industrial action."

He added: "Unlike the dispute in 2002/3 support from the military in the form of Green Goddesses is no longer available to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and our ability to provide a service to the public will be challenging.

"However, we will continue to respond to emergency calls by prioritising the deployment of the available resources at our disposal and focussing on the protection of life."

What you can do to keep safe from fire?

Here are some useful fire safety tips:

Smoke Alarms - Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home and test them regularly. Batteries should be checked once a week and changed at least once a year.

Cooking -Take special care when cooking. Never leave cooking unattended. Do not fill a chip pan more than one-third full. Never put food in a chip pan if the oil begins to smoke - turn off the heat and leave to cool. Never cook under the influence of alcohol.

Candles - Do not use candles too close to curtains. Never leave candles unattended. Always ensure that candles are extinguished properly.

Matches - Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Smoking Materials - Always use a proper ashtray. Extinguish smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed.

Escape Plan - Plan your escape route with everyone, always include children and the elderly. Close all doors at night and switch off at the plug any electrical appliances not in use.

Open Fires -Guard all open fires. Do not dry clothes too close to an open fire.

Electrical - Replace worn or damaged leads. Use correct fuses for household appliances.
Test electric blankets annually. Do not overload sockets.

Business fire safety during industrial action:

Business owners should firstly undertake a review of their Fire Risk Assessment and if any changes are needed, implement those as a matter of importance. 

Precautions should also be made to prevent the occurrence of a fire.  This might be as simple as walking around the building at the end of the working day to ensure that there are no combustible materials in the vicinity of the property.

Owners will also need to ensure that procedures for reducing the chances of a fire starting are well understood by all members of staff and that everybody remains alert to the dangers from fire. What each owner will need to do is dependant on their own Fire Risk Assessment.

Local MP welcomes Bedroom Tax scrap pledge

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has warmly welcomed Labour leader Ed Miliband's pledge that an incoming Labour Government would scrap the Bedroom Tax.

"David Cameron's Bedroom Tax is both unfair and unworkable, and it is costing many local families dearly," said Ms Jones.

"This tax affects disabled people and their carers; people who would have gladly down-graded to one bedroom properties but no such properties existed; families with children serving in the armed forces and many more.

"The Bedroom Tax is a policy that could only have been dreamt up by a Government stuffed full of millionaires.   

"A Labour Government would have very different values. If Labour is elected at the next general election, I am pleased to say that the Bedroom Tax will be scrapped." 

Ed Miliband yesterday (Friday) said the policy would be funded by scrapping a tax break for hedge funds and the Treasury's new shares-for-rights scheme.

Warning over charity shop rate relief

The Welsh Economy Minister would face an uphill battle over possible changes to business rate relief for charity shops, according to Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Minister, Eluned Parrott AM,.

 

The warning follows legal advice that Welsh Ministers do not have the power to impose such changes without new primary legislation.

 

The Minister is consulting over proposals following an independent review of business rates for charities, chaired by Prof Brian Morgan of Cardiff Metropolitan University, which published recommendations in April.  These included:

 

* Cutting rate relief for all charity shops from 80% to 50%

·       *  Cutting rate relief for larger charity shops even further; 0% in some cases

·        *  Zoning or limiting the number of charity shops in a given area

 

The formula for the mandatory funding of charity business rate relief is fixed in Section 43(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1 988.

 

According to independent legal advice given to the Welsh Liberal Democrats, as neither the Welsh Ministers nor the Secretary of State has the power to change that formula, implementing the rate relief recommendations would require primary legislation either by way of an Act of the Assembly or an Act of Parliament.

 

Eluned Parrott said: “This is welcome news as it means that any change to the rate relief given to charity shops would be subject to a high level of scrutiny and could not be slipped through under the radar. 

 

“The proposals in the report would be a clear attack on charity shops, which play such a valuable role in creating a vibrant and diverse high street.  They fundraise for vital services, support volunteer opportunities which help people back on the route to employment, and divert thousands of tonnes of textiles from landfill.

 

“The report states that the business rate relief to charity shops can crowd out other retailers, but this is absurd given that the charity sector accounts for only 0.3% of retail sales by turnover, while nearly one in five shop premises on the Welsh high street lie vacant.

 

“According to the Charity Retail Association, nearly a fifth of Wales’ charity shops could close if the Minister pushes ahead with these proposals.  I think the Minister would face an uphill battle in justifying legislation on this issue, which would threaten the future of so many charities on our high street. 

 

“This has been a worrying time for many charities across Wales and I hope that the Minister will clarify her intentions as soon as possible.”

Read plays a blinder with football play

The football-themed comedy play Dixie Or Me currently running at Llangollen Town Hall sees a theatrical hat-trick by Peter Read.

Not only as he penned this highly amusing two-acter, staged by Wrexham-based Limelight Productions, but he also directs it and takes one of the leading roles.

Peter explains in the programme notes - nicely headed Terrace Talk - that he wrote the play back in 2004 as part of a football festival organised by Wrexham Council but, as he constructed it, was mindful of the fact that too much football content could turn off people in the audience with no liking for the beautiful game. While it’s still very much about football he manages to keep it out of the penalty box as far as the uninitiated are concerned.

Action revolves around a simple fellow called Dave, played very effectively by Mark Andrew Rodgers, who has developed an absolute obsession with Wrexham FC as a way of escaping his humdrum production line job.

The author has set the play in 1978 as he believes that what the club was doing on the pitch in the 77-78 season was one of the best times to watch the Reds, when the famous Dixie McNeil figured large in their fortunes, and there are plenty of references to “going up, going up” in the dialogue.

Dave’s pre-occupation with Wrexham doesn’t go down at all well with his wife Holly who has her mind on higher things, such as the world political situation of the late 1970s, which was basically dominated by the actions of the United States.

These vastly conflicting interests lead inevitably to marital disharmony, with an angry Holly demanding to know at one stage whether it’s “Dixie or me?”

However, both have their allies: Holly in the shape of lefty NEWI lecturer Sarah, nicely caricatured by Lyn Aston, and Dave in the form of Vicar Joe, a man similarly obsessed with Wrexham FC.

The clergyman, brought vividly to life by the author, is himself in conflict with his Bishop for the way his own obsession with the Reds colours his work in the parish. Keith Pemberton is Joe’s suitably stern episcopal boss.  

Holly reckons one way to cure Dave of being hooked on football is to sign him up for a session with a rather dotty counsellor called Natalie, portrayed to perfection by Christine Dukes.

Of course, that doesn’t go down too well with the plain-talking footie fan who hardly appreciates that kind of brain meddling and storms out of her consulting rooms only to charge into more trouble with the missus.

The play goes along at a cracking pace and, even for non-football aficionados, the gags, which come thick and fast, are very effective.

It’s safe to say that Peter Read has played a blinder with this one and there’s no way he’ll be left sick as a parrot with the audience reaction.

It’s a pity there weren’t more people there to watch but there’s still a chance to catch the play tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm.  

Councillor flashes up need for more warning signs

A town councillor wants to know why there aren’t more flashing 30mph warnings signs on busy roads in Llangollen.

Cllr James Tobin posed the question at Tuesday’s night’s town council meeting as highways issues were being discussed.

He said: “I’d like to know why there aren’t more of the flashing 30mph signs locally.

“There’s the one near the Woodlands but in no other areas of Llangollen. Why can’t there be one near the Pengwern play area?”

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said: “We raised this with Denbighshire County Council last year and were told there was no chance of having flashing signs because of the cost.”

Mr Thomas then suggested that in other areas there had been community campaigns in which local residents had donned high-visibility jackets to monitor speeding cars, passing on the details to the police.

He added: “Maybe that is something we could do and involve the local schoolchildren.”

The mayor, Cllr Bob Lube, said he believed one of the residents’ campaigns the town clerk was referring to had taken place at Petrefeolas.

But he said: “I suspect that somebody going past a 30mph sign isn’t going to be put off by a flashing 30mph sign.”

The town clerk agreed to check out the possibility of more flashing signs with the county council.